Mobile Deliciousness
Just in Time Food Truck Brings Elevated Cuisine to Hancock and Hamilton Counties
Writer / Noah Alatza
Photographer / Walker Photography
A backyard cookout started it all.
The Just in Time food truck was an idea formed about a year ago among partners Scott Jones and Justin Meadows. Since then theyve taken their idea to new heights, one neighborhood and one location at a time.
Justin had invited me to a cookout at his house and the food was much better than something we ever paid for, Jones says. Three months later, we were invited to another cookout and the food blew me away. I asked Justin if he ever thought about opening up a restaurant or food truck.
That question changed everything for the duo. They started brainstorming on how to go about developing a food truck with a specialty in Texas-style barbecue, as well as Mexican and Cajun food. Their recipes are inspired from the cultures and flavors of Texas and Louisiana, where Meadows grew up.
Everythings made to order and we try to source as many authentic ingredients as possible, Meadows says. I just felt like the food was lacking in the area and I wanted to bring my style. I have always had a passion for cooking since I was little, and I wanted to do it but never had the opportunity to follow that dream until Scott came along with the business side while I handled the creative side.
Meadows says being truly authentic with their food sets them apart from others. The duo even goes as far as ordering poboy bread from New Orleans, which is flash-frozen and sent to the food truck before events.
This is one of the very high-end food trucks in Indiana, Jones says. Everything we have on the truck from a food perspective – that quality of food we are serving – is not something you would get from the traditional food truck. All of our meats are smoked right before the event, and plates are pretty high end. Wait times might be longer but its worth it.
After six months of construction, the food truck started operating in March.
We have been so fortunate, Meadows says. After our first event we had a ton of referrals from people that know people, so we havent had to spend a single dollar on marketing.
The food truck primarily serves Hancock and Hamilton counties, with events once or twice per week on average at varying locations including in some select neighborhoods.
There are plans to keep operating the food truck through the fall. The partners are hoping to be in business in the winter, but they are still working through some logistics.
The business has been more than what we initially expected, Meadows says. We havent done any marketing and we are turning down stuff because we dont have the time. It has definitely exceeded expectations and our community has been phenomenal. They have really rallied around us.
To learn more or to schedule a time for the food truck to visit, go to facebook.com/justintimefoodtruck.
